Improvement in can-openers



G. L. WITSIL.

CAN-OPENER,

N o.171,463. Patented nec.{z\1,1a7s..

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UNITED STATESV PATENT OEEIcEo GEORGE L. WITSIL, OF BEVERLY, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAN-OPENERS.

Speciicationforming part of Letters Patent No. 171,463, dated December 2l, 1875; application iled October 18, 1875.

To all lwhom it may concern:

Beit known that I, GEORGE L. WITsIL, ofA Burlington, in the county of Burlington and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Can-Openers, of which the following is a specication This invention relates to that class of canopeners in which the cutting-blade `is overhung in part by an arm, the end of which constitutes the fulcrum of the blade in cutting. My improvement consists in giving to this fulcruin-arrn a rounded end, constituting a cam, so that in cutting the fulcrum-arm will roll on the can and' cause the blade to operate with a draw-cut,the said blade and fulcrumarm being struck up or formed from a single piece of metal. l

In the annexed drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved can-opener as attached to a wooden handle. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same as made in one piece with an iron handle.

The drawing clearly represents the construction of my improved can-opener, A referring to the curved blade, B to the fulcrum-arm, The blade and fulcrum arm are fashioned out of the same piece of steel, or constitute, at least, a single piece of metal, either provided with a shank for the attachment of a wooden handle or terminating in a bar, which itself will form a handle. The

i fulcrum-arin, being flat and standing in line with the blade, terminates in a round end or head, as clearly shown, beyond which the point ofthe blade projects a little distance, so that it may be used to punch a hole in the can preparatory to cutting it open. It will be observed that by reason ot' the rounded or calnshaped head of the fulcrum-arrn the blade must operate with a draw-cut. This feature, which is obviously a very desirable one, since it greatly facilitates the operation of cutting tin cans, I do not claim as broadly new with me, but only when taken in connection with the peculiar construction of the opener as a whole. f

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

As a new article of manufacture the hereindescribed can-opener, which is composed of a single piece of metal, and in which the point of the blade projects beyond the fulcrum-arm, and the latter terminates in a cam-shaped head standing in line with said blade.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this speciticatior in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

" GEO. L. wiTsin Witnesses:

Jos. T. K. PLANT, D. P. HoLLowAY. 

